asked Her Majesty's Government:

Following the identification of three persons in Scotland infected with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus type ST398, whether they will consult (a) the relevant authorities in the Netherlands, and (b) the Soil Association about the transfer of bacteria from animals to humans, in particular through meat. [HL3977]

We are already working with Dutch and other European colleagues on methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus ST398 and the information from Scotland will help to inform these discussions. We do not have routine contact with the Soil Association, but it is welcome to submit any new evidence that it has on this issue to the Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections.